FC Dallas forward Eddie Johnson has been nominated for the 2005 ESPY Award for Best Soccer Player. The winners of each of the awards will be announced in a national television broadcast on July 13 from the Kodak Theatre.
Johnson was nominated for his stellar play during the 2004 calendar year. In MLS play, he became the youngest player to either have or share the league lead in goals and his impressive numbers did not stop there. Johnson appeared in three matches with the U.S. national team (all World Cup qualifers) in 2004 and posted five goals, including a hat trick as a substitute on October 13 vs. Panama. He became the first substitute in U.S. men's soccer history to register a hat trick.
The ESPYs are the one night a year where fans get to celebrate and honor athletes from all sports. All proceeds from the ESPY Awards benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research, in memory of the late Jim Valvano.
Johnson not heading into Gold Cup camp: FC Dallas forwards Eddie Johnson and Carlos Ruiz have been bothered by injuries that have kept them out of the last five and two matches, respectively.
The two superstar forwards will miss this weekend's match at Colorado, while Johnson will also be out for the July 2 match at the Cotton Bowl against the San Jose Earthquakes. His stress-related injury to his right toe is not progressing as well as the club would have hoped and they are targeting July 16 at New England as his return date, although nothing is guaranteed yet.
Due to the injury, Johnson will not head into the U.S. national team camp for the CONCACAF Gold Cup when the team gathers on June 26 in Portland. He was named to the 23-man roster by U.S. head coach Bruce Arena yesterday, but will stay in Dallas to continue treatments on his injury.
Although Ruiz will miss Saturday night's match with Colorado, the team is more optimistic about his return. He is questionable for the San Jose match on July 2 after getting treatments with the team Friday at Blue Sky.
O'Brien back; Mina probable: FC Dallas midfielder Ronnie O'Brien will definitely return Saturday night from his one-match absence due to a left hamstring strain. O'Brien trained this week with the team and is ready to go. Roberto Mina, who left the last match with a right hamstring strain in the 61st minute, is probable for Saturday night's game after having a light workout Friday at training.
